Traveling to Chicago is a very special trip. It has been over for several days, and I have not decided to write it because I don’t know how to write this travel note. After thinking about it, the ink in my stomach was a little lighter. Chinese culture is profound and profound. It is not like cosmetics that an uncultured person like me can use to smear on myself as desired. After all, the makeup needs to be removed. True colors revealed.
I can probably use the word record, without any additions or embellishments, just completely true content and stories, to record our five-day trip to Chicago and record the journey of the young people of the dragon boat team. Various stories and accidents. They have the recklessness and carelessness of young people, but this does not affect them as young elites. They work harder and are more motivated. Their experiences are enviable and their lives are more fulfilling and exciting.
? City impression
I had no impression of Chicago before I came here. I didn’t know what kind of city it was. On the first day I arrived in Chicago, I took advantage of my dragon boat teammates to drive with me. We travel through the city. I found that the characteristics of this city are straight roads and tall buildings on both sides. The place with too much steel and concrete is a bit depressing. For people who have escaped from a city like Shanghai, it has no sense of beauty and no good impression. Before I even get to know Chicago, I’m already missing the quietness of Boston and the fresh smell of green grass that can be smelled as soon as I step out.
Chicago is a midwestern city in the United States and the third largest city in the United States. It is on the same latitude as Boston, about 1,400 kilometers away, and has a one-hour time difference. In the impression, Chicago is synonymous with cold, but its summer is what we dream of. The highest temperature is only around 30 degrees, and the lowest temperature is around 18/9 degrees. This kind of weather is good for traveling. The sky is blue and the clouds are blue, the temperature is comfortable, and the ultraviolet rays don't seem to be that strong. The most feared thing for Asians is getting tanned, so a hat is a must, but even if I take off the hat occasionally, I don’t feel particularly tanned.
? Dragon Boat Competition
June to September every year is the dragon boat competition season across North America. From east to west, from the United States to Canada, there is a competition every few weeks. Dragon boating originated from the Chinese, but it is no longer an exclusive sport for the Chinese in North America. More and more foreigners are participating in it, and many 40/50 women are also participating. There are even teams organized by cancer patients. Dragon boating is not only for physical fitness. It is a kind of physical fitness exercise and also a social platform.
The Chicago Dragon Boat Race is held in a park not far from the airport, and the hotel for the first two days is set near the race venue. The last time I went to Montreal, Canada, I competed for 2 days. I also watched the competition for two days, so there was not much time left for travel. This time it’s just a one-day competition. This day is just for coming to the park to breathe oxygen and relax, and watch the game by the way.
In addition to competitions, many weekend parks are for family outings. A family plus a pet dog can bring a tent or just lay a blanket on the grass, and a simple hot dog or sandwich can solve the problem for lunch. Under the shade of the trees, the wind is a bit strong. It will be a bit cold if you sleep, but it won't feel too hot if the sun is shining. Children were basking in the sun, chasing each other and playing with pets on the grass, while the elderly lay or sat quietly with a book and read all morning. Perhaps this is part of American holiday life, so simple and natural that you can enjoy a whole day of leisurely life without spending any money.
I have seen several dragon boat competitions. In each competition, there are dozens of teams, with people coming and going. The tents are fully open to provide sun protection. After a competition, Everyone will take a rest in the tent. Young people are casual and like to take out things and put them on the ground. Things are always scattered all over the tent in a mess. As soon as it was game time, people ran away, as if they were not worried about their things being taken away.
Miss Linlin is a beautiful girl. Although she is over 30, she does not tell her age at all. She speaks softly and has a good temper. I thought she is the kind of person who takes good care of things. Girl, during the Boston game, I saw her put her phone on the ground to charge and then run to the game. My nosy heart came out and I didn't dare to leave the tent for fear that my phone would be taken away. The girl did the same thing in this competition. She dropped her cell phone on the ground as soon as she was rowing. The tent was very big and open on all sides. People who wanted to take a shortcut went directly through the tent. I was worried about her cell phone, so I had to stay close to it. point, for fear that the phone will be taken away by someone inadvertently. There is an Apple laptop next to the mobile phone. I don’t know whose it belongs to. Are they really not afraid of losing things?
Having had a tragic experience, I don’t believe that no one stole it. I would rather believe that it is true than believe that it is not true. I am very curious that Linlin will not lose her phone like this, but Linlin is very calm. She told me that she didn’t lose her cell phone, but her computer... I was speechless...
She was serious about participating in the competition, and her ranking was secondary. The opponents in this competition were very strong, so strong that even these people in Boston The players competing for the championship dare not expect their own results. It doesn't matter to me whether the results are good or not. I hope they finish quickly. If they eat sloppily at lunch, we are going to have a big meal at a Michelin restaurant and have fun.
? Urban Cycling
Every city has its own unique scenery, and Chicago is no exception. People in China who are used to seeing West Lake and Yangcheng Lake have a stereotyped impression of the lake as one where you can see the edges. People always want to raise some hairy crabs or something in the lake, or set aside an area to raise some fish and shrimp. The most advanced one is the West Lake one, with pavilions and pavilions and broken bridges covered in snow.
Lake Michigan opens up people's horizons to the point where they feel as if they are facing the sea. The lakeshore is completely open, just like a swimming pool. You can sit down and put your feet in the lake. You can do nothing and stare at the lake in a daze. , watching people swimming in the lake, watching people playing kayak, the lake is endless and you can’t see the edge, the green water and blue waves are lapping at the lake shore. You have to be careful that an occasional wave may wet your whole body.
Lakeshore cycling is a project in Chicago travel. I went to rent a bicycle at a bicycle rental point in down town and found that renting a bicycle is very expensive. An ordinary bicycle costs 17.5 dollars per hour and about 25 dollars for 2 hours. The time The longer it is, the cheaper it is. If the price is more advanced, it will start at more than 30 dollars an hour. Parking in the city center is very expensive. It is not charged by the hour. It costs 30 dollars to drive in. My friends also thought it was a bit expensive, so I simply rented a bicycle for 4 hours to spread the hourly parking fee. Young people don't know how to live, and they don't think about the cost of renting a car for 5 people for an extra hour, which is 30 dollars. Suddenly, I miss our free bikes, which are almost free and often disliked and complained about by me.
There are many cyclists like us along the lakeshore, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Lily is a music lover and carries a small speaker with her wherever she goes. Taylor Swift's gorgeous is her favorite. The volume is turned up very loud. The sound of the music blown by the wind changes a bit, but it does not affect everyone's riding experience at all. In high spirits, accompanied by the rhythm of the music, I could barely keep up with their speed.
Lawyer Zhang is a standard elite man, less than 30 years old. He was admitted to the National People's Congress in Hangzhou and continued his studies in the United States. Now he works in a well-known law firm. During a casual chat, I learned that his hourly legal fee is 620 dollars. The exact amount of his monthly income is difficult to find out, but it can be seen from the hotel he stays in and the way he spends his money. Jin is very capable. He rarely gets the chance to spend money, so he doesn't seek the best but the most expensive car. He chooses the most expensive car. After leaving the rental shop, I turned around and rode on the street. He was riding at the front with the most arrogance. After crossing the road, I could ride along the lakeshore. I saw him getting on the bicycle gracefully and riding away with the wind. Within 5 minutes, he was about 100 meters away from me. He stopped and fidgeted with his bicycle left and right. Everyone thought he was riding too fast for fear of not being able to keep up. When he went over, it turned out that his chain was broken.
Lakeshore Beach
Chicago is in the midwestern United States and is inland. People's desire for the sea can be seen from the artificial beaches. There are some small artificial beaches along the lakeside avenue. It is free to go to the beach. You can just bring a big bath towel and lay down in the sun.
While lawyer Zhang went to change his bicycle, we also pretended to be on vacation at the beach to soak up the sun. Lily packed her bags according to the instructions for the beach and sat on the beach in a quiet daze while the small stereo continued to play. Taylor Swift's song, I feel the seaside...
? Windy City Food
Deep dish pizza Deep dish pizza is Chicago's gourmet business card. How is it different from those sexy pizzas outside? ? Some Americans describe it as like filling a swimming pool with cheese. Although the calories are sinful, the satisfaction it brings is irreplaceable.
If you don’t make a reservation even though there is a seat, you will just be asked to wait. This is probably what American restaurants do all the time, engaging in hunger marketing. It was already past the regular dining time when we arrived at the restaurant. I heard that we didn’t have a reservation. The waiter at the front desk said that we need to wait for 20 minutes. We were people who rode bicycles for 2 hours and drove here for another hour. Young people at this time My stomach has been emptied, and waiting for 2 minutes is torture. We called another store that was only a 10-minute drive away. We were told that there was a seat and we didn’t have to wait. When we turned to leave, the front desk stopped us and told us to check to see if there was a seat. Sure enough, there is a seat, and it's not a seat that a customer just left.
The five of us were so hungry that it was superfluous to discuss what kind of pizza to eat. It was enough for one person to decide. I can’t understand or understand anyway, so I eat whatever I order. After a while, two oversized pizzas were pushed over, mixed with a milky and rich tomato sauce smell. Everyone opened their mouths and focused their eyes on the pizza plate.
? River View Tour?
Chicago's Original Architecture Tour? is a water tour project that can quickly visit Chicago's famous architectural complex. The Chicago River is a tributary of Lake Michigan, similar to our Suzhou However, unlike the Suzhou River, there are tall buildings on both sides of the river. The buildings have their own characteristics, and they are spectacular and unique against the backdrop of the river. The cruise ship departed from the Navy Pier. The 75-minute journey was preceded by a tour guide who worked hard to introduce the architectural stories on both sides, but I couldn't understand it at all.
? Drunk Night Bar
Chicago’s nights are lively, and blues and jazz are its most vivid business cards. We followed the young people to the London house, which has the best night view in Chicago. Lawyer Zhang made a reservation in advance, so we didn’t have to wait in line downstairs. He was still generous and generously ordered a bottle of champagne and some oysters for everyone. I am a conservative who neither drinks alcohol nor eats oysters. I just drink orange juice. I just want to admire Chicago at night.
There seem to be a lot of seats in the bar, and most people prefer to go to the outdoor area on the top floor to drink and chat with their wine glasses. This is a social place for fashionable young people. They chat with friends and occasionally take a sip. Mainly chatting, drinking as a foil. It was almost difficult to find a place to enjoy the night view on the terrace full of people. The Trump Tower opposite the outdoor area was very close. I was bored and counted how many floors there were in the parking lot. There was parking on floors 1-10, which was awesome!
Chicago is a big city, which can be seen from its nightlife. All kinds of luxury cars and beauties of all colors appeared at night, accompanied by the elegant and low jazz blues. They were dressed up and accompanied by tall and powerful figures. In comparison, Boston seemed like the countryside.
? High-speed Terror
If the nightlife only has bars, it is definitely not a big city. Big cities are a paradise for young people, and disco is a place where young people want to try, especially in rural areas. The young man coming down. At my age, going in is looking for death. The sounds inside can break my heart and deafen my ears.
Lily followed me back to the hotel obediently. Lawyer Zhang didn’t want to continue playing. It was already 12 o’clock at night and it took 40 minutes to get back to the hotel by car. The roads in Chicago were still busy late at night. The highways at night were much better than during the day, but there were still many cars. Lily drove carefully, and Taylor Swift songs were playing in the car to prevent her from dozing off.
I was also very nervous when she drove. There seemed to be a brake under my right foot, so I could help her at any time. I stared straight ahead without blinking. Halfway through the journey, I suddenly heard a woo! A black motorcycle? Speeding past, whizzing away in the lane next to us, in an S shape, constantly weaving in and out of the vehicles in front of us on the lane, and the speed was so fast that it could It became a black dot and disappeared from the front sight. If you think there is only one person who is not afraid of death and returns home at night, you are wrong. Then motorcycles kept whizzing past us. They overtook every car at extremely fast speeds, and one motorcycle even raised its front wheel. It flies by like a show. I was dumbfounded and short-circuited. They were really not afraid of death or the death of others. Maybe this was the excitement they sought, and maybe our fear was their excitement.
? Encountering a thief
The high-speed frightening scene passed quickly, and what was even more frightening was a group of young people going to the disco. They were not satisfied with just grabbing a glass of wine and listening. Listening to music and quietly enjoying the night view, they need to move to release youthful hormones. A group of young Chinese people marched into the nightclub. They didn't know what would be waiting for them next.
There are certain things to wear when entering a nightclub. Tim is a young man from Shandong who works as a programmer in a furniture company. He is used to dressing casually and wears a pair of slippers when he goes out to hang out. I originally thought there would be no problem in the late night, but the Americans were rigid and refused to let in, which put Tim in a dilemma. It was not cheap to take an Uber back home, and he couldn't get in without going back. Final decision, just wait!
Everyone will drink some wine when entering a nightclub to excite themselves, so that their bodies can dance to the deafening music, to make themselves forget themselves, to empty their minds, only music and dancing body. But you can forget not only yourself, but also your valuables. When they were having a good time, two people discovered that their wallets had been stolen. After the excitement, it was a painful blow.
Frank is a Taiwanese guy. He is small and has dark skin. I have met him a few times and played badminton together. He played badminton like a professional. The smash ball can lift a ball 1 meter high, which is special. Handsome. Frank sat next to me at dinner, and I have a deep memory of his wallet. The large Gucci wallet logo was very conspicuous. Maybe it was his ostentatious wallet that made the cat smell the fishy smell. Inside, 6 credit cards, $2,000 in cash, 1 check, and passport were all stolen. I'm not familiar with the other girl who was stolen. Her bank card and passport were stolen, and she didn't seem to have much cash. Just call the police!
A group of young people came to Chicago mainly for the dragon boat racing competition and to have fun after the competition. They did not expect to encounter such an experience. At about three o'clock in the morning, the young man was exhausted from playing, and since he had called the police, he had to go to the police station to make a record.
The process of reporting a crime at the police station takes a lot of time. Although a group of young people were sleepy and ignorant, no one said to go back to the hotel first, even Linlin, who was wearing high heels, had sore feet and could not stand. , still gritted his teeth and persisted. Someone suggested that we simply wait a while and go to Lake Michigan to watch the sunrise. This suggestion seemed to get everyone excited again. Looking at the slow-moving police, they felt a little anxious. It was already past four in the morning, and they would miss the sunrise if they went any slower.
Someone hurriedly communicated with the police and asked them to hurry up. They wanted to see the sunrise but they couldn't make it in time. The police were speechless... Children, if you still want to watch the sunrise, have you considered the mood of the two people who lost their wallets...
Their stay up late was worth it. Seeing it is no different from the sunrise on the sea. The same scenery, the photos taken are enough to comfort my heart after a sleepless night.
? Early morning at sunrise
I was surprised by their experience, and also very curious about the spectacular sunrise on the lake. I have seen the amazing moment of sunrise on the sea, but I don’t know if I am on the lake. What a sense and experience the sunrise is like. I heard that the lake surface turns pink at sunrise, which made Lily and I want to get up early.
After the dragon boat race, we moved to the hotel in Down Town, about 5 minutes away from Lake Michigan. When the alarm clock rang, I jumped up and ran straight to the lake without even bothering to wash my face or brush my teeth. Walk quickly and imagine the pink landscape at sunrise.
I thought I could see the sunrise by going to the lake, but when I got to the lake I realized that the sun rises in the east. We need to face the lake in the east to have a chance to see it. But I lacked common sense and ignored this truth. When I came to the lakeside, the Navy Pier was just next to it, which just blocked the view to the east. If I wanted to run to the innermost part of the pier and close to the lake, I would definitely miss the sunrise. , you will miss it even if you stand still. Getting up early in the morning was just for this moment. We were delayed by ignorance like this. Looking at the faint red sun gradually lighting up in the east, the sky was gradually illuminated by the sunrise. The sleepy and ignorant feeling when we got up disappeared completely. , but it was indeed too early, so I went back to sleep.
? Traveling alone in Zhicheng
Watching the sunrise before going to sleep is not as refreshing as sleeping until dawn. Today is Monday and Lily has to go to work in the Chicago company. When I wake up, Lily has already gone to work. I have to arrange how to play this day. I am still a little confused, but I can't sleep anymore and waste time. If you live in Downtown, you don't need to drive out. You can visit all the scenic spots on Michigan Avenue with your feet.
The night view of Chicago is charming, and if you carefully appreciate the city under the sun, you will have many different feelings. A fire in 1871 burned down almost most of the city's buildings, and the city was reborn from the ashes. The skyscrapers rising from the ground draw a magnificent skyline, while the city's landmark sculptures and world-class museums also attract tourists from all over the world.
I don’t understand architecture, and I have no right to evaluate the quality of a building. What makes me pay attention is the unusual style that breaks the rules. Marina City is that kind of fun building, with two thick corn cobs sticking straight into it. The sky looks like two corn cobs. They are not as majestic as the Trump Building next to them, and they even look a bit rustic, like a fashionably dressed rich man standing next to two stout farmers. I also passed this building on the cruise the day before yesterday. The tour guide said that this building is the object of ridicule by many people. I don’t know why such a design plan was approved. There are many problems after use.
I am also very curious about the appearance of this building and its parking lot design. I don’t know how many floors the underground parking lot has. There are more than ten floors of hollow parking lots. The wall was cut up, and it looked like it was only blocked by a few thick steel bars. I can't imagine whether the people parking the car were worried, but looking outside, I always think about what if I met those people who mistakenly used the accelerator for the brake. what to do? I don’t know if there were any accidents.
Chicago is the capital of architecture. Walking along Michigan Avenue toward the Chicago River is like browsing a huge architectural museum. Modern architecture pursues simplicity, while old buildings pursue complex and gorgeous decorative styles.
There are many lift bridges on the Chicago River, all of which are steel structures. They used to be hoisted to let large ships pass, but now there is no need for this.
You should stop when standing on the bridge. Look at the various pedestrians passing by, the Chicago River and the buildings on both sides, as well as the cruise ships passing by in the river. Many people on the bridge will be very friendly and wave to tourists on the boat.
You can see different attractions along the way. You can’t miss Douzi in Millennium Park. You can’t take pictures by yourself. So you choose to sit down and take a rest and look at the tourists surrounding Douzi and watch the reflection. There is absolutely nothing special about the architecture inside the metal surface of the bean. Maybe I don’t understand the appreciation and the meaning that the designer wants to express.
Only when architecture has an artistic soul can it be admired by people, and when art accumulates over time, people will follow it. There is an art and humanities channel in Shanghai that specializes in introducing famous European oil paintings. Each work will explain the story behind it. The interpreted works make people yearn to take a look at the authentic ones to feast their eyes.
The Art Institute of Chicago is located near Millennium Park. There are a large number of classic works here. Although it cannot be compared with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, there is a classic work that I like in it.
I went there just for "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte", which is an oil painting on canvas created by Georges Seurat. Different from the oil painting technique, this painting mainly uses Pointillism painting method, the picture is peaceful and harmonious.
The painting was exhibited in 1886, and was later purchased by a wealthy American and donated to the museum. It was almost destroyed by a fire in the museum, but was rescued and is now collected here, attracting people to observe it. I think this painting is as important to the Art Institute of Chicago as Mona Lisa's smile is to the Louvre.
Some people say that those who have not been to the Art Institute of Chicago are like they have never been to Chicago. For a person who has very little knowledge of history and knows little about various cultures, I can see nothing about the various collections in the museum. What's the point? I only know a little bit about oil paintings because I often watch the introductions on TV, so I feel a little bit accomplished when I see the real thing. The ticket is not expensive at 25 dollars. There were not many people visiting the museum on Monday. When I bought the tickets, there was a Chinese father and son in line behind me. They seemed to be from the mainland, and the son looked very artistic. They whispered, as if they wanted to Borrow a translation machine. I guess they really learned it, and I just came here to get my hands dirty.
? Navy Pier
As you can tell from the name, it is a former military pier. Now it has become an important base for Chicago tourism. Go to the city center for sightseeing and the river view and the lake. The boats that visit all dock here. There are many restaurants next to the pier. The weather is suitable and the weather is full of people. There is a children's museum and a children's playground next to it. There are many children on the road and it is very lively. I guess everyone who comes here should be We are tourists for sightseeing, and so are we.
There is a band performance by the pier, which attracts many tourists. Foreigners are more open-minded and do not care about other people's opinions, swaying and dancing to the music. The strong music made the wind blowing from the lake carry a rhythm. I strolled along the Navy Pier and walked to an open area closest to the lake. There were some chairs where I could lie down. Lie down with Lily for a while and look at the quiet lake and the sunset, without realizing that this is the best place to watch the sunrise.
Random thoughts?
The journey is very special, and there are stories worth recording and sharing. Traveling with young people and chatting with young people can bring me into a young state, and I can also know their true thoughts about life. Although I admire them, I feel a little regretful. After their parents have raised their children to be outstanding children from other families, most of them have independent American ideas. Their first demand is the protection of their own space. Some of them are not even grateful for the successful education they received from their tiger parents and tiger mothers. When they grow up, the distance between them increases, and their parents are still kept in the dark.
For us as parents, we gradually feel that what is far away from our children is not the distance but the heart. Our hearts are like grass that has been trampled by thousands of troops. It takes a long time to repair. .
The purpose of traveling is not to see how many scenery you have seen or how many souvenirs you have bought; if you can make yourself feel better during the trip and be full of hope for the future, then it will be the most memorable trip...
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